Vinay Katiyar does not seem to have any role in these elections.
– Photo: Social Media
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The political stalwart, who once played the role of captain in the election field, is resting in the spectators’ gallery this time during the Lok Sabha elections. Veterans like former MP Vinay Katiyar, former MP Nirmal Khatri and former MLA Jitendra Singh Bablu are missing from the battle of Ayodhya this time. In such a situation, his supporters are in a dilemma.
First let’s start talking about senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar. Katiyar, who was once the pivot of Ayodhya politics, is currently in exile. He got distinct recognition across the country as the founding president of Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Katiyar became famous as a fire brand leader during the Ram Mandir movement. In BJP, he even held the responsibility of National General Secretary. He was elected twice from Faizabad parliamentary constituency in the year 1991 and 1999.
In view of his contribution and great stature in the party, he was sent to Rajya Sabha twice in the year 2012 and 2018. Katiyar remained active in Ayodhya politics till the 2022 assembly elections. He also held election meetings in support of Rudauli’s party candidate Ramchandra Yadav in this assembly election. After this he kept away from politics. No role has been decided yet by BJP in this general election.
Similarly, senior Congress leader Nirmal Khatri is also behind the scenes this time. Faizabad seat went to SP in the alliance. SP has fielded Awadhesh Prasad from here. Nirmal was elected MLA from here for the first time in the year 1980. After this, he was elected MP in the year 1984 and 2009. Was the state president of Congress from 2012 to 2016. He contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Congress and stood fourth by getting 1,29,917 votes. In the 2019 elections, he was at third place by getting 53,386 votes. In this election, Congress has an alliance with SP and Nirmal is out of the election field.
Jitendra Singh Bablu, once among the leaders close to BSP supremo Mayawati, is keeping distance from politics in this Lok Sabha elections. Bablu was elected MLA from Bikapur on BSP ticket in 2007. In the year 2014, he contested the Lok Sabha elections from BSP and stood third by getting 1,41,827 votes. Then Congress was reduced to fourth place here. In the year 2021, the former MLA joined BJP. It was a different matter that in 2009, Bablu’s membership was later canceled after he was accused of burning the house of the then Congress state president Rita Bahuguna Joshi. Joined Nishad Party in the year 2022. Since then he has not been seen in the political arena.
